20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[a] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”
35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Personal Reflection and Discussion
Four passages before this in John’s Gospel, it was stated or indicated that Jesus’ hour or time had not yet come (see Jn 2:4; Jn 7:8; Jn 7:30 & Jn 8:20), now in verse 23 Jesus says his hour has come.
What would you say is the most glorious day of the Church Year? Explain.
- What is Jesus talking about when He talks about “His hour” (see vs. 23-33)?
- What thoughts, feelings, etc. does He express?
- Why does John consider the crucifixion, rather than the resurrection, the hour of Jesus’ greatest glory?
- React to the statement: “The crucifixion shows us Jesus’ love, the resurrection shows us Jesus’ power. Both are central. Without His love, Jesus’ power would be scary. Without His power, His love would be meaningless.”
In what way(s) has Jesus been “lifted up”(v. 32, see also Jn 3:14; Jn 8:28)? How can/do we lift up Jesus today? Romans 6:6-8, Galatians 4:4-5
Prayer
Jesus, You knew what was to come of you five days before you spoke this, yet you continued to speak things into motion. Christ, thank you for being our Savior, for taking on our punishment….all our punishment. Thank you for showing us the depth of not only your love, but your endurance through the hard times. As you speak truth into motion for our sake, guide us to lift up the name of Jesus so others may be in the light.
Greek Words of the Day
English Word: draw | Transliterated Word: helkuo
To drag, draw, haul, to draft, induce to come
English Word: soul | Transliterated Word: psuche (psoo-khay)
Breath, spirit, abstract or concrete, The immaterial part of man, as opposed to the material, with spirit and soul representing in some contexts a real subdivision of the immaterial. Psuche is contrasted to soma, or body, and pneuma, spirit. The psuche, no less than the flesh, belongs to the lower region of man’s being. Sometimes psuche stands for the immaterial part of man made up of the soul, and the spirit pneuman. Metonymically, meaning a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated (such as “crown” in “lands belonging to the crown.”)
Family Engagement Activity
Time for another endurance challenge. Get some grocery bags and put a couple cans (depending on strength) in each bag. Tell your family to hold them, having to fully extend their arms out to their sides and hold that position. The one who drops their cans pays for ice cream (or something). Let them feel the burn. When they look like they are about to be done, offer to hold up their bags for them. Do this until you are the only one holding up the cans, and then drop them. Buy them ice cream and let them know that Christ took all our consequences and endured the punishment for us.
Going Activities To Consider
Today, if you haven’t been able to let go of something that Christ wants to take from you, talk to God about helping you give it all to him. Consider listening to your favorite worship music for 30 minutes, reflecting on the knowledge that He HAS been lifted up!
Know of someone rejecting this gift? Give them a call and see how they are doing.
I recommend the following songs:
- Glorious Day by Casting Crowns In Christ Alone
- Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin Sweet Mercies
- Baby by Lost and Found 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman
- In Christ Alone
- Sweet Mercies
- 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman